What you may not know: There are other free annual reports that can help you spot ID theft. Compiled by lesser-known specialty consumer reporting bureaus, these detail a narrower range of information, such as your history of filing insurance claims, writing checks, paying rent and getting medical treatment. They are primarily used by specific industries — for instance, by banks before approving new checking accounts or by insurers before issuing new policies.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, these reports may be yours for the asking once a year. Others may require paying a fee, unless you can show that "adverse action" has been taken against you because of the information on file.

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Unlike with annualcreditreport.com, there is no single website to access these specialized reports. You need to contact each company separately. For a master list of some 40 specialty reports, visit the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website.

Here are some of the most useful for detecting possible ID theft:

Public records

LexisNexis Personal Reports details public records and other information filed under your name, including property ownership, criminal history, liens and bankruptcy. Mail in a request form, available at personalreports.lexisnexis.com, or call 866-312-8102 toll-free for an overview of the process.